Guardiola: Happy with the Victory, Focusing on the FA Cup Final

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, appeared in a press conference after the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the rescheduled match from the 31st round of the English Premier League, held at the Etihad Stadium.

The coach said: "Winning 3-0 against Brentford, then 3-0 against Crystal Palace - these are very strong opponents with their style of play. I am very happy. We strive to remain competitive until the next match against Bournemouth. Now we are focusing on the FA Cup final."

He added about the numerous changes in the lineup that proved effective: "Because we won, didn't we? I have great trust in all of them. Sometimes it's due to our style of play, and sometimes it's the team's organization. Omar [Marmoush] is always present, thanks to his high work ethic and goal-scoring. We played really well. I know their offensive transitions are excellent, as well as their set-pieces. It's tough because they defend very well in low defensive areas. It's challenging, but we overcame it with patience. We played the way we should play."

Regarding maintaining the players' fitness for the FA Cup final: "Yes, especially Kovacic and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Jeremy wasn't ready for the second half, but playing with five defenders is not easy, and Munoz was very close to the goal, making decision-making difficult. Rayan was really good, and Matheus Nunes was exceptional. So, we are fully ready for the final."

He emphasized: "In such matches, you can prepare, but in the end, quality is the decider. It's that simple. We can talk about the coaches and so on, but after Phil Foden was amazing in tight spaces and made a brilliant pass to Antoine Semenyo who scored. That's what decided the match. The same goes for the precise pass for the second goal and the final touch."

He continued: "We haven't thought about or discussed what happened in the last match (Arsenal against West Ham) with our fierce rival for the Premier League title. We just have to do what we need to do. I've had many experiences in this league, and in Barcelona and Munich."

He continued: "Playing against ten players with a compact defense is never easy, but I've been training since day one on how to break through these defenses. I have to be in the right place and forget about it. Good clubs and top-tier players ignite enthusiasm; a single player like Phil Foden today can make the difference, or my partner in the last match - it's not more complicated than that."

Regarding the competition for the title: "Of course, we want to keep the option of winning open until the final match. Unfortunately, it's not in our hands, for many reasons. This group of players is exceptional. We've enjoyed being with them every day this season, and now we are in another final."

Regarding the last two rounds: "Bournemouth and Aston Villa are not easy opponents. Bournemouth is playing in a European competition, which is exceptional, and I don't know the last match they lost. But now we are taking a break, and the FA Cup final deserves all the attention and appreciation."

He concluded: "To win matches and win the title, you have to be much, much, much, much better. Under the current circumstances, you won't be able to do that, it's that simple."